Goodbye 2015. Hello 2016.

I've always thought the new year should start in the spring rather than the middle of winter. You know a fresh start - green grass, flowers blooming, sunny skies... It might be 57* and pouring today, but it was 80* yesterday, say what?!

This scripture is always good to reflect on for the new year, Revelations 21:5, you can get the free printable by clicking here!

Anyway, I have a love hate relationship with the new year...

I love fresh starts, a blank slate, down-sizing, de-cluttering, an empty calendar, planning new adventures, and expecting good things to come.

I hate looking back and realizing all that I didn't accomplish or let slip by me. Right now I'm beating myself up over not getting hired by the real estate agency and not finding any other flexible part-time employment. I am annoyed that I am only into May on the 2015 yearly photo book (and if I'm being completely honest- I haven't made one since 2010s which is pathetic). I always planned to workout/meal plan and I'd do great for a few weeks then fall off the train.  I never take time for myself, I read 4 books all year when I used to knock out 20+. Not to mention for being a SAHM my son is now 14mo old and I have yet to write down anything in his baby book... Just hoping I can remember those milestones, ugh...

How does life always seem to slip by? This year we moved completely across the country, both of our sisters got married, we've hosted family and visited family, we've explored and adventured, we are still looking for a church to "call home," we don't have a solid group of friends yet and that is killing me (thankfully my Hawaii friends understand and are only a phone call/text away), and I haven't braved the base gym yet but I really want to try the stroller aerobics class.

So, for 2016 I've made these 4 goals:

1. Read at least 1 book each month.
   This should be totally do-able if I just spend 30min of me time before bed each night!
2. Try 3 new things.
   For example - a fitness class, volunteering, learn to crochet, etc.
3. Upload the monthly photos to the yearly book by the beginning of the following month.
   So January's photos should be uploaded by February 7th.
4. Jog 20 miles each month, roughly 5mi per week.
   I hate running, but I know it works and is good for me... *sigh*

I only gave myself 4 because I wanted to follow the S.M.A.R.T. guideline.

S - Specific

M - Measurable

A - Attainable

R - Realistic

T - Timely

Obviously I will continue to do my best to stay in the word, stick with meal-plans/other work-outs, be a present wife & mother, keep up with the household chores, create & maintain quality friendships, etc etc. 

Did you or will you be making goals for 2016? Please share in the comments! Also.. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

-Tay

PS: One of my friends, Alyssa, from Home Field Fitness is co-hosting an awesome "Get it Together: 2016" online course. It's FREE but the sign-up deadline is Jan 4th, so click the link now!

DIY Chocolate Peppermint Spoons.

In a pinch for a last minute gift? Try these chocolate spoons!

Ingredients:

Heavy duty plastic spoons - don't get lightweight plastic, we don't want to risk any melting during the creating process or for the gifted during their enjoying process! Peppermints (or candy canes), and chocolate of choice - white, dark, milk, semi-sweet...

Place your peppermints (or candy canes) in a ziplock baggie, gently (my first bag exploded all over my kitchen!) whack them with a wooden spoon.

Melt your chocolate either in the microwave or on the stove, watch closely as chocolate can burn! Dip the spoons and slowly rotate them to get a nice even coating.

While the chocolate is still melted, sprinkle with the crushed peppermint. Place on wax paper to dry. You can expedite the process by placing in the fridge or freezer, but I have much better luck just keeping them on the counter. Every time after I try using the fridge/freezer method they are moist to the touch and melt quickly once I take them out (not ideal for gift giving).

Seal as desired. I used traditional sandwich baggies, some scotch tape, and a bit of baker's twine.

Create your final gift by combining with hot cocoa packets in a festive mug (both can be found at the dollar store if you're on a tight budget!)

Do you have any awesome last-minute, but doesn't look "last-minute," gift ideas? 
Please share them with me in the comments!
-Tay

My Christmas Tour.

I've posted my DIY Christmas Wreath on Instagram, but I figure it would be nice to give you a "mini tour" of my home decor!

The front of my house greets you with bright multi-colored lights, candy canes, and of course the three wise men seeking baby Jesus.

My DIY wreath graces the front door, I used the remaining ribbon to wrap my banister. The centerpiece for my dining table is a mason jar filled with mini scented pine cones, a bit more of the ribbon, a $1 deer, and an apple-spice candle.

The buffet features small decor gifts we have been given over the years, our wood penguin plaque, and my scentsy with the nativity wrap. My mantle is wrapped in garland, LED candles, stuffed snowmen, a driftwood nativity I purchased on our Edenton trip, and the stockings we had made in Hawaii.

The final pieces adorn our bookshelves: German nesting dolls from our trip to the Baltimore Christmas Village, an antique Christmas swing from my grandma's house, an LED glass gift my mom made, then another wood nativity and my Santa nativity (yes I love the nativity, I have a beautiful stained glass one my grandpa made but we couldn't figure out where to put it without risking little man breaking it). The tree is "toddler safe," plastic, wood, and metal ornaments only this year... Maybe our glass & reisin ones can be added back in a few years.

Besides decor, scents make me feel more in the holiday spirit, so I burn a candle nightly. We also watch cheesy Christmas movies often.

How is your house looking?

-Tay

Thrifty Trends - Holiday Decor.

Aubrey is back with some holiday decor inspiration!

I'm in the middle of deep cleaning my house one last time before the year is over, then I am going to pull out my Christmas decoration  boxes and thin out the items I no longer use, like the look of, or I got super cheap from the dollar store for our first Christmas together. I think it's time to start investing in and creating things I want to keep for a long time!

If you complete a project inspired by her post let us know in the comments, if you use Instagram you can also hashtag #thedaringdandelion #freshlybrewedhome #thriftytrends and tag @thedaringdandelion

After you check out this inspiration post, make sure to pop on over to Aubrey's website [A Freshly Brewed Home] for more tips, tricks, and ideas! 

-Tay

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So now that we are past the wonderful holiday of Thanksgiving, it's safe to say that we're completely in Christmas territory. Most of you have your trees up and you are wearing your cozy Christmas jammies every night. It's such a fun and beautiful time of the year and whether you are hosting parties or not, you want you home to feel cozy, welcoming and festive. 

So how do you achieve the look you want? Sure, you can go to Target and buy all the things in the dollar spot, a few packages of ornaments, some wreaths, lights and a whole bunch of knick knacks and your house can look like their advertisements. But I really feel that the coziest homes have a mix of a few thoughtfully selected items and homemade or found decorations. The best homes look curated...as if all their contents have been collected over time and they have meaning. It's always the details that make the difference.

I love natural garlands, pine cones, cranberries, white lights and wooden accents. There's something special about the natural beauty of winter that I love to bring indoors. I'm sure that as my little munchkin gets older, she will want some Santa things and bright colors but I want to maintain the reason for the season and keep things minimal and meaningful, which I'm sure will include a lot of her homemade ornaments. 

Here are a few tutorials that I have found around the web (because I'm terrible at tutorials) and some thrifty tips to create a beautiful and natural home for the holidays.

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I love the simplicity. If you have children, go on a nature scavenger hunt to find pine cones. Then hot glue some twine for a hanger and add a bow in any color ribbon you want!

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This tutorial is great and paper snowflakes are so classic!!! And inexpensive ;)

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This tutorial is a little more in depth and might take some time but I just love love love this!!

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This one uses birch paper which is super cool but you can use whatever paper you want! Another cheap classic.

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These are so fun to make! I covered mason jars with epsom salt and put candles in them for our wintry outdoor wedding and I loved them so much!

Take away Tips

• Keep it simple and use things around your house/outside to create natural decorations. Get creative! Buy a bag of cranberries (usually on sale after Thanksgiving) and string together a pretty garland.
• You don't have to spend a fortune on Christmas decor! Shop your dollar store for craft supplies and greenery. Take advantage of holiday sales to get your big ticket items like trees (or go cut your own real one!! Usually it's only $10-$20 a tree-or at least around Colorado it is) Costco has huge packs of lights for cheap and usually Walmart does too. Shop around and piece together your look.
• Shop the after Christmas sales for the next year! 
• Have fun! The holidays can be such a stressful time but they don't need to be. Enjoy time with family and friends and don't worry about your home being "magazine/Instagram worthy." Keep it simple and meaningful to you and your family.

Happy Holidays,

Aubrey